Coney Island lost an angel and heaven gained one on Thursday. Pastor Debbe Santiago, who founded Coney’s Salt and Sea Mission over 30 years ago, passed away after battling cancer. The wake will be on Thursday, February 11, from 12pm- 5pm, followed by a funeral service from 5pm -6pm at the Salt and Sea Mission, located at 2417 Stillwell Avenue. A memorial service will be held at MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue from 6-7pm.

Pastor Debbe’s experience as a former homeless drug addict who turned her life around after reading the Bible gave her deep empathy and compassion for all.

“Debbe Santiago was a saint who helped the helpless, fed the hungry, protected at-risk children, and ministered to the downtrodden of Coney Island,” wrote Coney Island History Project director Charles Denson, who posted video clips of a sermon at the mission that he filmed. In the intro, Santiago explains that Salt was for salt of the earth, and Sea was for Coney Island’s sea. “Sea also refers in the Book of Revelations to the masses, and we have masses of needy people in Coney Island.”

Every Palm Sunday for the past 30 years, Pastor Debbe has officiated at the Blessing of the Rides at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park on Coney’s Opening Day. The ceremony consists of a prayer of invocation as well as the Fire Department Color Guard, speeches by elected officials and a ribbon cutting, followed by free rides, toys and Easter bags for children from the Salt and Sea Mission.

In the following video recorded at the 2015 ceremony, Santiago explains how the annual tradition got started. She asked Deno Vourderis, the park’s founder, if she could bring some kids from the Mission to ride the rides. “And he asked if I had 500,” she says.

This year, Coney Island’s Palm Sunday opener will be on March 20th. “The Vourderis family is deeply saddened by the loss of our lifelong friend Debbe Santiago,” said Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park co-owner Dennis Vourderis in a statement. “She will be missed, and we know she will be watching over all of Coney Island because that’s where her love lived and benefited us all.”

Hello my name is Edna Rosario I am a Friend of Pastor Debbe Santiago,I knew Pastor Debbe for 28 years,I was a worker at the Salt and Sea Mission,Thank you for the Beautiful Words said about her.And you are so right we are losing and Angel She saved me,She pulled me out of a slimy pit,I was an homeless street walker on drugs When i met Pastor Debbe 28 years ago.She never gave up on me ,And I can say that today I preach the Word of God,Am a Worker at the Mission and I am Drug Free.She also was the Maid of honor at my Wedding and She Baptized My Son Christopher,She went all out her way for me and never gave up on me that’s the kind of person she was .I am one of many people who she has helped,She was an amazing Women She will Surely be miss by many,But she is now with our Father in Heaven with peace of Mind and no more pain,Again Thank you for the kind Words.

I am sad to hear that she passed away – what a beautiful life so well spent for the Lord and others!! I worked at the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM) and would send teams to work with her. She always was so appreciative of every team which helped her! I pray the Lord will raise someone up to continue to ministry!!

I am deeply saddened by our loss. A pillar in our community. A gift to all who knew her. She touched the lives of so many people with her ministry. She was a prayerful and compassionate leader. I love you Pastor Debbe. May you rest in peace.

I am so very sorry to hear this about Debbie. She was a Dear friend of mine, who I’ve known for 33 years. I met her when she was homeless back in 1983, and we became friends. I was never more proud of her when she decided to turn her life over to the Lord. She lived with my husband, and I for a few months until she got on her feet. I attended her wedding to Cruz, and was there when she was Blessed with her son Jared. I eventually moved from Seagate in 1993, and Debbie & I lost contact. I have been searching for her on Facebook for about 6 years with no luck. A friend of mine informed me that he seen a posting regarding her on Saturday saying that she had passed. I so wish I had the opportunity to see or talk to her one last time. I am happy knowing though that she continued with her mission, and has helped so many people in the past 30 years. She was truly a Blessing to so many. May she Rest in Peace. My thoughts & prayers go out to her family, and to the many people who had the opportunity of coming into contact with this Incredible Woman. God Bless Her, and God Bless you! Forever my Friend!

This was a beautiful tribute to a woman who was the living embodiment of generosity and goodness. I spoke to a few people at the funeral and memorial service on the 11th and they assured me that the Mission and Pastor Debbe’s good works will continue on as will The Blessing of the Rides. Thank you for using my video of last year’s blessing, it was my little way of helping Pastoer Debbe to spread the Word.